Dimond Neighborhood News

by Carol Lundgaard

All the Poop Romano Pizza building owner Lynn Horn addressed the January 4 Dimond safety council and DIA meetings concerning his burdensome and unsanitary pigeon problem. The unsightly, unsafe, and misguided practice of pigeon feeding is covered by Oakland's nuisance ordinance. Tim Chapman of DimondNews.org called Councilmember Chang's office, and now necessary steps are being taken to cure the problem via Alameda County Vector Control Services District (www.acvcsd.org, contact 567-6800 or ehvector1\@acgov.org). Dimond Park Concerns Policy Analyst Claudia Jimenez advises that she, Councilmember Quan, Recreation Center Director Michelle Fulper, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Ren?e Sykes, Park Ranger Sgt. Ron Yelder, Parks Supervisor Brian Carthan, and community member Tim Chapman met January 12 to address the following issues: After-hours parking and discarded condoms. Install after-hours locking gate to Recreation center and Wellington/Canon lots. Park ranger and Oakland Police Department coverage. Install signs with important phone numbers (park rangers, OPD non-emergency, truancy hotline). Because a lot of problematic activity occurs after 1 a.m., when the rangers are not available, OPD's second- and third-watch patrol officers will check the park, time permitting. Physical improvements as deterrence. Trim trees that block lighting. Homelessness. Explore possibility of installing permanent signs to address sleeping in the park. Legal issues require consultation with city attorney's office. Claudia and Ren?e will also address obtaining assistance for the two or three homeless individuals causing most of the problems in the business district. Walking Officer As of January 16, the Dimond district's officer vacancy, unfilled for two years, is half-filled. Walking Officer Iram Padilla has been temporarily assigned to the Dimond and Laurel districts on a shared 50 percent basis until Officer Damon Gilbert returns from his "On-Duty Injury" status. Dimond Park Recreation Center Award On December 16 at Oakland Parks and Recreation's holiday dinner for Center staff at Dunsmuir House, Director Michelle Fulper and staff were recognized with its "Recreation Center with the Most Improvement" award of the year. Michelle acknowledges her and her staff's efforts as well as community energy and participation for this most deserved honor. As Tim Chapman wrote, "Michelle is a very creative director who knows how to get the job done, and she likes people. Kudos to Michelle and her staff!" News You Can Use Dimond Neighborhood Public Safety Council, Dimond Improvement Association, and Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE), is hosting CORE I training, a free program open to all Oakland citizens, on February 22. CORE's twofold mission is to promote the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor and provide the highest-quality emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness, and response training. The Core I training (Home and Family Disaster Preparedness) focuses on protecting your household from disaster hazards and on creating an emergency plan, including survival supplies. For further details and information, see the Metro calendar. Also, visit www.dimondnews.org and join the mailing list. Contact Carol at dimond.metro\@gmail.com.